SAMT 2006 is hosted at the Divani Palace Acropolis, in the shadow of the Acropolis itself, with the ancient Themistoclean wall preserved in the hotel's own foundations. It is a short walk from Plaka, Syntagma and Monastiraki, and well connected by the Athens metro, which is comfortably the easiest way to move around the city.

December is a quiet, mild time to visit. The archaeological sites are open and far less crowded than in summer, the tavernas are at their most local, and the evenings are made for long dinners rather than sightseeing marathons. Delegates staying elsewhere are advised to pick a hotel near a metro station; from there the conference venue is a straightforward ride. Practical details on rates and nearby options are on the accommodation page, and a wider orientation to the city on local information.

It is a short trip to combine serious work with a genuine sense of place. Few conferences let you step out of a session on multimedia ontologies and be standing beneath the Parthenon ten minutes later. Athens in December quietly does.